Today we are introducing you to a vendor with a specialty in self-expression! Art by Megan is sharing her heart for painting and how this passion turned into a business. This little lady has the sweetest and most sea-worthy paintings that can act as colorful wedding decor or great accent pieces in your home! We love Megan’s versatility – city maps and watercolors for invitations, prints that would be perfect as favors, and gorgeous canvases that can act as wedding gifts!

Tell us a bit about yourself.

Hi! I’m Megan, an abstract painter and watercolor illustrator with a degree in Fine Arts (and Spanish!) from the University of Maryland. I have taught High School Art & Spanish for 10 years in DC and Baltimore, and have been running my art business on the side. I’m also a supermom to an awesome little girl who totally inspires me! My family is moving to Brooklyn this spring and I am excited to be pursuing art more full-time there!

How did you get the idea and inspiration for Art by Megan?

Art by Megan started in 2010 as a blog and creative outlet. I was just getting back into painting in my home studio again and I wanted a way to share the process with people. It has evolved into an online shop full of sunny Maryland-inspired illustrations and a place to share my abstract works on canvas. It has put me in contact with some really awesome people, too! I love getting to work on whimsical illustrations and making unique products for clients.

What goes into the process of choosing the pieces that you create?

The creative process for me is interesting, challenging, and invigorating. Painting is my creative outlet; I paint almost every night after my daughter goes to sleep. Some days are abstract days, full of messy acrylic paints and layers of texture. Other days are more refined and I create fun, nautical drawings that later become my watercolor paintings. I love having a balance between both of these passions and working in both styles. I’m inspired by the ocean, the sky and beach, so many of those themes go into my works.

What are your goals for 2015?

My goals for 2015 are to continue working with the great people I have met in Annapolis while expanding my brand to new markets. I have a line of children’s room paintings that are fun and colorful, I am working on illustrations and paintings for new cities (similar to my Annapolis pieces) and I have been working on huge abstract acrylics that I hope to show in New York this year. Big goals, but why not!?

Do you have any advice for someone who is interested in starting their own small business?

Small business advice: just keep doing it. I have only really been in business now “officially” for a year and it’s been a wonderful adventure! However, there are tricky times when it’s overwhelming, so my best advice is just to keep doing what you love and putting yourself out there. Places will turn you down and others will love your work. My parents always say “just have all your irons in the fire!”

Creativity and passion are the reason we love working with our vendors! You can see more of Megan’s incredible artwork on her Instagram or Facebook page, but be sure to check her out in our Vendor Guide as well!

We don’t know if you’ve noticed, but we’re a little coaster crazy around here! There are just so many fabulous and easy DIY coaster projects & we can’t help ourselves… Which is why when we spotted this project by Laura’s Focus Photography, we had to share! Laura is our expert on this project so we’ll let her take it from here.

I found some boards about 3 1/2 inches wide at Lowes and asked my husband cut them into squares. I looked up the international maritime signal flags, each flag pattern representing a different letter of the alphabet, and drew the patterns that spell our last name. Next it was painting time! I decided to edge the pieces with a pretty bronze acrylic that I found at a local craft store. These would look so cute on each reception dining table! You could even glue them to a board to create a fun guest book for everyone to sign.

Find 3 ½ inch wide boards at your local hardware store.

Measure 3 ½ lengths along the board to create square pieces of wood.

Look up the international maritime signal flags online to see the patterns for each letter of the alphabet.

Pencil in the patterns of your choice onto each square for your painting guides. I chose to do the letters of our last name.

Using water based acrylic paints, start with one color at a time and wait for it to dry before starting the next color. Two coats of each color provides better coverage. You may have success taping off sections when painting – this should help keep your lines straight!

Apply the border around the sides last. I used a bronze shimmery acrylic paint to make the coasters look polished.

Finish with a clear spray paint to lock in the color.

Thanks for sharing Laura! Happy crafting friends – let us know how yours turn out. Be sure to check out some of our past DIY projects especially the other coasters like this stylish rope knot or vintage map coaster. The more the merrier!